She observes
London, ON, December 2007
Sometimes, I like to sit back and watch my kids as they figure out the world around them. It gives me perspective. It also gives me a chance to see whether I'm ruining them with my somewhat unconventional approach to parenting.
So far, they seem to be evolving well - doubtless a result of my wife's influence. To wit, this scene where my daughter learned about the magic of art and the joy of taking a quiet moment to stare and think. As I stood behind her and tried to record the simple scene, I wished for many more opportunities to look over our kids' shoulders in the years to come.
Your turn: Watching them grow. Please discuss.
My daughter is growing up..at 17 she is a young women but I was still pleasantly surprised on xmas eve when an older cousin of hers, wanted to go watch a movie that some of us others didn't want to watch...my daughter just said..Well, NO, to go watch a movie would just be RUDE we are here to spend time together on Xmas eve. I was glad that I didn't have to say anything and she had learned some lessons along the way lol.
ReplyDeleteHello, Michele sent me, and that's a neat photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great teacher and father you are. Your post gives me renewed excitement on being a father myself and experiencing many great moments in the years to come. Only a couple more weeks!
ReplyDeleteI definitely process the whole growth process better when I watch or look at videos and photographs. When I'm in the moment, it's usually too frantic and hectic to absorb.
ReplyDeleteBut when I see their photos and videos, I am aghast at how fast time passes and how they will soon be adults and I hope they will turn out ok.
good topic.
I don't have any kids, but I DO love to watch people, in general, looking at paintings in a gallery or a museum...The concentration is fascinating and I would love to know what they are thinking and if they are moved, etc....!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carmi, for your really touching comment on my Oscar Peterson post today.....I feel so deeply about him and his music and what he has given me over the years that I just felt I had to say something about this truly amazingly talented man....That it touches other people is a true bonus!
I have listened to looked at that first clip about 10 times....! To me it is the essence of the heart of the man....!
I hope the magic of enjoying art will never leave her. It certainly menas you see the world through differnet eyes, but you know that already from someone who does this. I suspect she has developed this fvrom you as well :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are having great Holidays!
She’s unleashing her talent in taste of Art.
ReplyDeleteMy girls are 8, 5 and 2 - I have to remind myself sometimes to pull back and observe because at these ages it is so easy to get caught-up in the daily job of parenting and training! It is a wonderful feeling though, when one of them says or does something that makes me pause as the parent and appreciate their personal individuality, intelligence, creativity and humor!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be able to look over their shoulders more often than I can... but then there are probably very good reasons we can't...
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased my parents couldn't always see what I was up to - and I was a good girl too!
However I do love their perspective on life...I wonder how much it is mine, but it does seem to be uniquely individual with strong colours running through it from me and Rob... and that I find fascinating...
I've been experiencing this a lot lately. My daughter's 11 and is changing almost daily. I find myself sometimes staring at her or just watching with what must be a glazed over look because she inevitably yells back, "what are you staring at?"... hah... a little girl growing, too fast.
ReplyDeleteMy children are 24 and 18. I never tire of looking over my sons' shoulders and sharing their lives with them as they continue to evolve.
ReplyDeleteAs parents, we continually grow at the same pace as they, so we will always travel through their time before they reach it. That's what makes parenthood just an amazing life long journey :)